Another variant of Tata Indica spotted testing in Pune; Is this the Indica XL?

It seems Tata Motors' fetish with the Indica platform isn't over yet. Or that's what these shots captured in Pune late last evening convey us. Sent in by one of our regular contributors who confirmed us that the front half of this vehicle is exactly similar to the new Indica eV2, we now know that Tata is working on yet another variant of the Indica family. Though the rear end is camouflaged to look like a Station Wagon or a Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV), the complete absence of rear overhang makes us speculate that this could be a hatchback, albeit an extended one with a really long wheelbase.

Though many other automotive websites have already concluded that this is the XL variant of the Indica hatchback, we would like to wait until Tata Motors opens up on this subject. For the moment though, we leave it to you to decide whether this is a hatchback with an extended wheelbase, a small car-based MPV or a mini Station Wagon. After all, they could spring up a big surprise, just like they did with models like the Indigo CS and Ace range of commercial vehicles, both of which were religiously copied by many other manufacturers.

Whatever it is, Tata Motors seems to be not content with the number of variants and body styles that it manufactures and sells on the tried and trusted 'Indica' platform. Once launched, this new model will be joining a long list of models such as Indica, Indigo, Indigo Marina, Indica eV2, Indigo CS, Indigo eCS, Indigo XL, Indica Vista and Indigo Manza, all of which share their underpinnings with the first Indica that was launched a decade and half back. It looks as if Tata Motors isn't going to stop until every available gap in the passenger car spectrum below INR 10 Lakhs is plugged.

Though Tata's effort in eking out every last drop of money out of the age-old Indica platform must be commended, its high time they start developing an all-new platform that is totally different, both in terms of design and engineering, from what we have seen and experienced with Tata till date. Are you listening Tata?